Mayor Fred Perriman and Madison City Council members celebrated April by honoring its volunteers at the city’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
According to a press release issued by the City of Madison, “These wonderful people plan our city’s future, preserve its past, celebrate our downtown, keep our streets green, ensure safe housing, honor our ancestors, create attractive entrances into town, provide engaging art and encourage community development.
Three awards are given to recognize exemplary volunteer service to the City of Madison each year.
Volunteer of the Year
District 1 City Councilman Eric Joyce was recognized as Volunteer of the Year. He was recognized for the hours he committed to the Main Street Program and Cemetery Stewardship this year.
“Many a Madison Fest vendor has had their load lightened, literally, through Eric’s help with their load-in/load-out,” according to the city’s website. “He has become adept at the art of pop-up canopies and folding tables. No doubt, to his surprise, the event storage space under the Town Park Pavilion is now a familiar place to him. Being a judge for the Chili Cook-off was one the less arduous volunteer tasks he has undertaken, though his stomach may disagree.”
Joyce also volunteers with the Cemetery Stewardship Commission on clean-up days, raking, trimming, and pruning to keep the resting place of our forebears Raking, pruning; trimming all falls within purview to keep the resting place of our forebearers looking good.
Fire ants are his particular nemesis, according to the Madison website.“Always willing to lend a helping hand makes him one of our elite volunteers.”
Superlative Service Award
Rick Crown was recognized with the Superlative Service Award for more than thirty years of service on Madison’s tree board, which was established in 1990 as the first incarnation of the Greenspace Conservation Commission.
“As the commission multiplied its aspirations, he led for many years as the vice chair, and he always served as the planting committee chair – guiding the community’s selection and installation of improved, native, and diverse varieties of trees along city streets and in our parks,” according to the Madison website.
Crown also enhanced the Corridor Design Commission’s selection of tree species.
“Crown lent his expertise to former City Manager David Nunn and Superintendent Erin Tewksbury to evaluate the tree that someone could not wait to cut and helped hold the line. He slogged through hours on the rewrite of the Tree Ordinance to ensure the feasibility and protection of Madison’s tree canopy. In addition to an untold number of hours given to the betterment of our community, Crown brings joy to every gathering – his disposition, his merriment, and his quick wit.”
Inspirational Leadership Award
Robert Trulock was recognized with the Inspirational Leadership Award for his nine years as chair of Madison’s Planning & Zoning Commission, and he served a 10th year on the board.
After serving many years on the joint Morgan County Planning Commission, Trulock was asked to serve on the PZC in its inaugural year when the city established its own planning commission in 2015. The PZC reviews zoning actions against established standards for review and guidelines outlined in various planning documents and provides recommendations on these actions to the mayor and council.
Trulock’s diplomacy and grace were essential in the face of contentious zoning issues and provided steady leadership through a new commission’s evolution.